[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING CHARLES J. GRAZIANO ON BEING NAMED PERSON OF THE YEAR BY 
           THE ITALIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LUZERNE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Charles J. 
Graziano on being honored as this year's ``Person of the Year'' by the 
Italian American Association of Luzerne County.
  The Italian American Association of Luzerne County will hold its 33rd 
annual Columbus Day Dinner Dance in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on 
October 10, 2010.
  The Association currently has over 200 members.
  Each year, the Italian American Association of Luzerne County 
recognizes an individual who has shown distinguished service to the 
organization and the community as its ``Person of the Year.''
  This award honors an individual who has displayed dedication and 
leadership in the Association. It also recognizes an individual who has 
volunteered their time throughout the community, and an individual who 
over the past year has promoted Italian American culture, preserved 
Italian American traditions, and worked to instill family values.
  This year's recipient is Charles J. Graziano of Pittston, 
Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Graziano was born in Pittston on September 6, 1950. He is the son 
of Joseph and Mary Leo Graziano.
  Mr. Graziano graduated from Pittston Area High School in 1968 before 
attending Wilkes College where he studied Commerce and Finance.
  After graduation from Wilkes College in 1972, Mr. Graziano attended 
The American Academy and McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New 
York City. He graduated from the Academy in 1973.
  For the past 37 years, Mr. Graziano has worked as Funeral Director at 
the Graziano Funeral Home in Pittston Township. He is the third 
generation of the Graziano family to operate the funeral service over 
the past 110 years.
  A lifelong resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Mr. Graziano is a 
member at St. Rocco's Roman Catholic Church.
  Mr. Graziano currently resides in Pittston with his wife, Mary Lou. 
They have two children, Joseph and Silvana.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Charles Graziano 
on this auspicious occasion. His lifelong commitment to the 
Northeastern Pennsylvania community illustrates he is most deserving of 
this achievement.

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